IThere is a change of government in Brazil. In Sunday’s runoff, leftist challenger and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva narrowly defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Lula da Silva got almost 51 percent of the valid votes. In the end, the two separated just a little over two million votes.
Once victory was assured, Lula da Silva’s supporters could not be held back. As in other cities in the country, thousands had gathered on the sprawling Avenida Paulista in the heart of the metropolis of São Paulo to celebrate their candidate’s victory.
Lula da Silva managed to build a broad political alliance against Bolsonaro that reached far into the political center. Numerous figures who had never voted for Lula da Silva’s Labor Party pledged their support for the former union leader and President (2003-2010).
Lula da Silva benefited from a strong rejection of Bolsonaro, who has made himself unpopular with many Brazilians for his behavior during the pandemic, his aggressive nature and, most importantly, his repeated threats against the country’s democratic institutions.
Systematically undermining trust in institutions
The threats will probably not end with the end of the election. During his tenure, Bolsonaro systematically undermined trust in the institutions and repeatedly criticized the electoral authorities and the electoral system. Even before the election, the President had announced that he would not accept Lula da Silva’s election. According to surveys, this also applies to almost two-thirds of his voters.
Similar to Bolsonaro, Lula da Silva is also fighting strong rejection. The former president is considered by many Brazilians to be primarily responsible for a huge corruption scandal that broke out in 2014 and the investigation of which led to the arrest of scores of businessmen and politicians from all parties.
Lula da Silva himself was also convicted of corruption in 2017. However, the judgments were later annulled by a Supreme Court judgment due to procedural errors and the bias of the judge, which, however, does not correspond to an acquittal. For many Brazilians, his election is a slap in the face.
Observers assume that the coming days will be grueling. Demonstrations and other actions are expected. The mood in Brazil was already charged during the election campaign. The potential for violence is great. Frightening incidents had already occurred in the days leading up to the election. For example, a politician close to Bolsonaro tried to avoid arrest by attacking federal police officers with a rifle and grenades. On the Saturday before the election, a representative from the president’s camp pulled out her pistol in the street and pursued a man who had previously insulted her.
